World Happiness: The Philosophy, Science, and Application

What is Happiness?

The literature containing notions on what is happiness is numerous. In general, happiness is regarded as positive emotions linked to pleasurable activities we experience through our daily lives.

In scientific literature happiness is referred to as Hedonia (Ryan & Deci, 2001). Pleasure, comfort, gratitude, hope, and inspiration are examples of positive emotions (towards flourishing).

In a more broad understanding, human well-being is made up of both Hedonic and Eudaimonic principles. As in the case of Hedonic references, the literature on Eudaimonia is vast and describes the principle as personal meaning and purpose in life (Ryan et al, 2001).

Measure of Happiness

Happiness can be measured by these three factors: positive emotions, the absence of negative emotions, and life satisfaction (Ryan et al, 2001). PANAS (Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule), SWLS (Satisfaction With Life Scale) and SHS (Subjective Happiness Scale) are among many instruments available to measure happiness, and has been found to be both reliable and valid over time (Hefferon & Boniwell, 2011).

Happiness Research

The theory and measure of happiness has been around for a long time. In the following text, the main factors research has focused on over time is presented.

Interestingly, much of the research conducted in this area has found common ground between Hedonic and Eudaimonic constructs, indicating that this interrelation contributes to happiness (Ryan, 2001).

Common Topics Researched

Ryan and Deci (2001) provide a good description of happiness through their research, below is a synopsis of Ryan et al description.

Personality and Individual Differences

A positive association has been made with the ‘Big Five’ (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism) personality traits.

Emotions

This area has been of particular interest with regard to subjective well-being. Focus on how to increase positive emotions, and reducing negative emotions. How people evaluate their mood has been of interest, together with how positive and negative life events impact emotions.

Physical Health

Researchers have been interested as to what impact physical health would have on emotions. Findings have indicated this to be a very complex segment, for example, a certain person may be more positive about their ill health, whilst another individual may be more negative.

Research on Contributing Factors to Happiness

Social Class and Wealth

A question asked over time, does money make people happy? Findings support the notion that people in richer nations are happier than in developing nations.

The common explanation here is that people in poorer nations have limited utility (health, housing, food, education, water) to realize a basic level of safe living, having work and achieving goals. An increase in developed national wealth does not indicate subsequent increase in subjective well-being, also, an increase in a person’s wealth appears does not increase their happiness.

People chasing wealth are often found to be more unhappy.

Attachment and Relatedness

Under this topic many researchers believe that relatedness and affiliation to be strongly associated with subjective well-being, particularly strong intimate relationship. Attachment provides a level of personal security.

Goals

Positive affects has been associated with personal competencies and efficacy toward life goals. If personal goals are too easy or difficult the positive affect can decrease, likewise with low expectations that goals can be achieved easily tend to create a negative affect.

Pursued of approach goals (as opposed avoidance goals), and greater motive-goal congruence, and greater goal autonomy tend toward greater level of subjective well-being.

Time and Place

Ageing: Measurement in older age groups indicates increase as opposed to decrease of subjective well-being.

Culture and Nations: Subjective well-being measured across cultures and nations have reported differences, both in individual interpretation, but instrument mean and correlation.

World Happiness

In 1972 the Bhutan nation pursued a policy of happiness versus focus on economic growth tracked via gross domestic product (GDPP).

Subsequently this little nation has been among the happiest amongst nations with far superior wealth (Kelly, 2012).

In world economic circles, Richard Easterlin investigated the relationship between money and well-being, the Easterlin paradox ‘money does not buy happiness’ (Mohun, 2012) sparked a new wave of thinking of wealth and well-being.

More global organizations and nations are becoming aware and supportive of the importance of happiness in todays world. The United Nations invited nations to take part in a happiness survey, resulting in the ‘World Happiness Report’, basis of which is to help steer public policy.

The United Nations established ‘World Happiness’ day, 20^th of March, which was the result of efforts of the Bhutan Kingdom and their Gross National Happiness initiative (Helliwell, Layard & Sachs, 2013).

Organizations such as New Economic Foundation are influential economic think tanks which focus on steering economic policy and development for the better of human well-being.

Ruut Veenhoven is a world authority on the scientific study of happiness, and was one of the sources of inspiration for United Nations adopting happiness measures (Ki-Moon, n.d). Veenhoven is founding member of World Database of Happiness, which is a comprehensive scientific repository of happiness measures world -wide.

The objective of this organization is to provide a coordinated collection of data, with common interpretation according to scientifically validated happiness theory, model and research.

Four Qualities of Life and South African Happiness

Ruut Veenhoven, has constructed a model (Four Qualities of Life) which positions and describes the construct of happiness in various dimensions (Veenhoven, 2010).

Of the four dimensions, satisfaction is the dimension which our personal subjective measure of happiness as we interpret life as a whole.

Utilizing this model the writer attempts to superimpose some of South Africa’s challenges to happiness, and to offer suggested actions to making a difference to our happiness in South Africa.

Veenhoven’s global research in happiness suggests that is happiness possible for many (Veenhoven, 2010).

Liveability of Environment

This dimension includes factors such as law, freedom, schooling, employment etc. Similarly to what Maslow proposed as basic needs (safety, security, shelter, food) (Maslow,1943).

In South Africa there is still a chronic shortage of housing, water supply and adequate schooling. For some time now, South Africa has been plagued by resultant ‘service delivery riots’.

Corruption shows as a strong negative correlation (-0.69) to happiness in Veenhoven’s (2010) research. South Africa is plagued currently by high-level of corruption and maladministration, arguably the most the notable being the Nkandla scandal.

Life-ability of Individuals

The ability of individuals to deal with life is important; both mental and physical health has been identified as important factors, together with social values of solidarity, tolerance and love (Veenhoven, 2010).

In South Africa, the writer is of the opinion that the race divide is widening as political use of this construct is wielded for power to the detriment of this nation. Violent crime, intolerance and poverty threaten our love and compassion to each other.

Utility of Life

In this dimension Veenhooven (2010) references a higher order meaning, for example religious affiliations. The writer would further argue that national patriotism finds place here.

If we hold strong pride in our nation would that not constitute input to our life’s meaning? If we felt proud of our nation, would that not play a significant part in our happiness?

Uchida et al. (2013) found that high levels of national disaster negatively impacted a nation’s level of happiness. Recently South Africa has experienced national tragedy such as Marikana mine tragedy and the passing of Nelson Mandela.

South Africa has come through a very unsettled and violent history of imperialism and apartheid. In both accounts, a minority population were ‘protected’ and experienced a ‘good life’, whilst the majority fuelled the good life.

The year 1994 was a significant time in history for South Africa, marking the turn of a democracy to serve all equally. There is no doubt that significant stride has been made to correct past imbalances, however, as author of this paper, I cannot help but feel that as we have lost our way toward happy nation.

Suggested Action Plans to Improve Happiness in South Africa

It is obvious that many of our challenges in South Africa are of a political and administrative nature; therefore I don’t include such suggestions which would be assumed as rhetoric.

Happiness is a complex construct which cannot be directly controlled, however through policy and action we can endeavour to influence (Veenhooven, 2010), therefore through individual and organizational actions we can strive to making a happier South Africa.

1. Street Packs’ – Food pack inclusive of positive psychology literature for the homeless which motorists can purchase from major retail stores or garages.
2. Happy South Africa movies consisting of what is going well with South Africa as a nation. Insight into each of our South African cultures. These short movies to be shown before each main feature at cinemas, or on each DVD purchased or rented.
3. Each notational newspaper to give South Africa good news story daily.
4. Positive Psychology consultants to give class or road show teaching principles such as gratitude, mindfulness, meaning and purpose.
5. ‘If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands’, overarching organization which provides a consolidated portal of all volunteer and community organization which you can subscribe too.
6. Create a South African Happiness Community which researches local happiness, and actively contributes with other organizations such
7. ‘It’s a Gooaalllll’. Help communities scope local projects, to both obtain resources and project manage the initiatives to successful completion.
8. South Africa engage and actively take part in the work done through organizations noted in this paper

References

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